Let him who desires peace prepare for war.

Why has the government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without constraint.

Democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half of the people are right more than half of the time.

I shall be an autocrat: that’s my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that’s his.

To be turned from one’s course by men’s opinions, by blame, and by misrepresentation shows a man unfit to hold office.

The U.S. presidency is a Tudor monarchy plus telephones.

The affairs of the world are no more than so much trickery, and a man who toils for money or honor or whatever else in deference to the wishes of others, rather than because his own desire or needs lead him to do so, will always be a fool.

Do that which consists in taking no action, and order will prevail.

You have all the characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner.

I work for a government I despise for ends I think criminal.

I am invariably of the politics of the people at whose table I sit, or beneath whose roof I sleep.

The first requirement of a statesman is that he be dull.

Envy is the basis of democracy.